No Swiatek rematch in Miami as Eala faces familiar foe in Linette

MANILA, Philippines – There will be no rematch between Alex Eala and Iga Swiatek in the Miami Open. 

Eala will instead play in the round of 32 against Poland’s Magda Linette, who stunned compatriot and world No. 3 Swiatek following a 1-6, 7-5, 6-3 win on Thursday, March 19 (Friday, March 20, Manila time). 

A six-time Grand Slam champion, Swiatek was expected to advance and meet Eala again in Miami a year after the Filipina shocked the Polish star en route to the semifinals of the same WTA 1000 event. 

But Swiatek suffered a surprise early exit, considering that she went as far as the quarterfinals in each of her first three singles tournaments this year: the Australian Open, Qatar Open, and Indian Wells Open.

Still, Eala faces a tall order as she battles world No. 50 Linette for the fourth time on the WTA Tour.

Linette won their first two encounters, coming out victorious in straight sets in the 2024 Abu Dhabi Open and 2025 Nottingham Open, before Eala broke through with a 6-3, 6-2 triumph in the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand, in January. 

At 34, Linette is the second-oldest player in the top 50 as she brings with her a wealth of experience, having reached a career-high ranking of No. 19 and winning three WTA titles.

Eala, though, is fresh from beating one of the most seasoned players on tour after opening her Miami campaign with a 6-7 (8), 6-3, 6-3 win over 38-year-old Laura Siegemund of Germany in what turned out as the longest match of her WTA career to date.

As unpredictable as tennis can be, Eala has learned to ride the wave.

“I’m really pleased with how I’m handling everything as a whole,” said Eala, who is back in Miami as a seeded player and ranked a career-high No. 29 a year after making the tournament as a wild card and the world No. 140. 

“A lot of things have changed for me especially this year and this season so I think I’m doing a good job of keeping that balance of being hungry and staying happy and still working hard.” – Rappler.com